Understanding AD/HD and the myths and misconceptions

Although this Blog is generally made up of ideas, resources and information on ways to work from home, I thought I’d share the reason why I choose to work from home in the first place.

Nearly a year ago, our daughter was diagnosed with both a Learning Disability (LD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The process to deal with this news is different for everyone, but I found that after the initial shock, we grieved, and then we dealt. The end result is a happier little girl and happier parents. The journey to acceptance is not always an easy one. There are so many negative perceptions and stigmas attached to these disorders that would likely turn most parents to denial. After all, if you look under the definition of stigma in a dictionary you will find ‘a social disgrace’. People harbour many mistaken beliefs on this topic, which is what inspired me to write this and share the truth about AD/HD.

For myself, I needed to find out what we had in store and research this misunderstood condition. I like to pride myself in the fact that I can usually find the good in a bad situation, and this was going to be no different. The bounty of information available on the Internet enabled me to educate myself, which is essential in helping your child or your loved one through this difficult start. I say start, because once treated properly, things will balance out the way they should.

Some of the myths and misconceptions that I discovered and debunked are:

MYTH: AD/HD isn’t a real medical disorder.
TRUTH: AD/HD has been recognized as a legitimate diagnosis by major medical, psychological, and educational organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education. The American Psychiatric Society recognizes AD/HD as a medical disorder in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – the official mental health “bible” used by psychologists and psychiatrists.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (also known as attention deficit disorder) is biologically based. Research shows that it’s a result of an imbalance of chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, within the brain. Its primary symptoms are inattention, impulsiveness, and sometimes hyperactivity. People with AD/HD typically have a great deal of difficulty with aspects of daily life, including time management and organizational skills.

MYTH: AD/HD only affects boys.
TRUTH: Gender makes no difference in the symptoms caused by the disorder; girls are just as likely to have AD/HD as are boys. But because this myth persists, boys are more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

MYTH: People who have AD/HD are stupid or lazy-they never amount to anything.
TRUTH: People with AD/HD are of above-average intelligence, recent studies show. They certainly aren’t lazy. Their creativity and imagination are exceptional. In fact, many well-known, high-achieving individuals from the past are thought to have had AD/HD, including Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, George Bernard Shaw, and Salvador Dali.

MYTH: AD/HD is a result of bad parenting.
TRUTH: When a child with AD/HD blurts things out or gets out of his seat in class, it’s not because he hasn’t been taught that these behaviours are unacceptable. It’s because he can’t control his impulses. The problem is rooted to brain chemistry, not discipline. In fact, overly strict parenting – which may involve punishing a child for things he can’t control – can actually make AD/HD symptoms worse. Professional intervention, such as drug therapy, psychotherapy, and behaviour modification therapy are usually required.

MYTH: Children who are given special accommodations because of their AD/HD are getting an unfair advantage.
TRUTH: The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that public schools address the special needs of all children with disabilities, including children with AD/HD. Special accommodations, such as extra time on tests or scribing, simply level the playing field so that the kids with AD/HD can learn as successfully as their non AD/HD classmates.

MYTH: Children with AD/HD eventually outgrow their condition.
TRUTH: More than 70% of the individuals who have AD/HD in childhood continue to have it in adolescence. Up to 50% will continue to have it in adulthood.
Although it’s been estimated that 6% of the adult population has AD/HD, the majority of those adults remain undiagnosed, and only one in four of them seek treatment. Yet, without help, adults with AD/HD are highly vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They often experience career difficulties, legal and financial problems, and troubled personal relationships.

MYTH: Children who take AD/HD medication are more likely to abuse drugs when they become teenagers.
TRUTH: Actually, it’s just the opposite. Having untreated AD/HD increases the risk that an individual will abuse drugs or alcohol. Appropriate treatment reduces the risk.
The medications used to treat AD/HD have been proven safe and effective for more than 50 years of use. These drugs don’t cure AD/HD, but they are highly effective at easing symptoms of the disorder. The drugs do not turn kids into addicts or “zombies”. If any such side effect should arise, your child is either on the wrong dosage or medication.

There are sometimes tough choices that have to be made when it comes to treatment. My recommendation is to find a doctor/paediatrician that you trust and are comfortable talking too. Utilize all the information available to you and educate yourself. One thing that the doctor said to our daughter that I will never forget, is that the treatment that she required was going to help her show the world just how smart she really was. She couldn’t have been more right!

For us, there has been a complete turn around. Our daughter has received her first ‘A’ on her recent report card, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. The meetings with teachers over her performance have now turned positive after years of struggling with negativity. She enjoys school, has a happier demeanour, and most importantly, her self-esteem and confidence have boosted tremendously. She is no longer hovering over her work, afraid and ashamed, but sitting tall and ready to learn and grow.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is no cure. Your child or loved one will likely always have symptoms, but with proper treatment, there is no reason why they can’t become happy, healthy, successful individuals.